Erica Schenhals is in her second year of OBGYN residency with Prisma Health in Greenville, S.C. She paid a virtual visit to Associate Professor of Biology Jen Uno's lab to demonstrate common surgeries for students.
An Elon alumna returned to campus virtually Wednesday to teach common surgical procedures to students in Associate Professor of Biology Jen Uno’s anatomy lab.
Erica Schenhals, an Elon College Fellow and Lumen Scholar, graduated in 2013 with a degree in biology. She earned her medical degree from the Penn State College of Medicine in 2018 and is in her second year of OBGYN residency with Prisma Health in Greenville, S.C.
Schenhals presented diagrams and videos of two common obstetric and gynecological procedures: a laparoscopic hysterectomy and birth by cesarean section. She and Uno collaborated to talk students through the procedures, describing the tissues, organs, muscles and vascular systems that make up the female pelvic region. Schenhals also shared valuable insights about graduate school and her career post-Elon.
Students in Uno’s anatomy lab course typically hold classes in Elon’s human donor lab, a rare commodity in undergraduate anatomical and pre-medical education. Remote and online learning has required a shift to video procedures and anatomical computer programs and apps. Schenhals’ expertise gave students a unique introduction to reproductive anatomy with a clinical lens.
Schenhals said the opportunity to interact with Uno’s class was fulfilling. As an Elon student, she knew she wanted to be a doctor, but it wasn’t until she took Uno’s anatomy course as a pass-fail elective her senior year that she became interested in surgery.
“I had no idea I’d end up a surgeon,” Schenhals said. “It’s hard to believe that I already feel confident enough to give a lecture on a whim. It’s nice to have knowledge that I can pass on.”
Uno was thrilled to have Schenhals back in the classroom.
“Erica was always fun to have in lab because she was so excited to work with the donors. This time around it was amazing to see her do her thing as a doctor. I am so proud of her accomplishments!” Uno said.